After 40 years guiding Doughty Valley 4-H, Marcia Troyer retires — but not from supporting the kids

Dedicating four decades to anything is a highly unusual accomplishment that demands commitment, persistence and a love of what you do.

For Marcia Troyer, who served as the adviser for the Doughty Valley 4-H Club near Clark for 40 years, every one of those boxes was checked off along with many more, and above all, it was done in love for the kids.

“This was a very hard decision for me to make to retire,” Troyer said. “Forty years is a long time, and I’ve loved every moment of it, but I knew it was time, and I needed to do it.”

Troyer was honored at the recent Holmes County 4-H Banquet Thursday, Nov. 20 for her service as she steps down from her leadership role.

“Your leadership consistency and your love for all of the youth of Holmes County have shaped this program for decades,” Ella Lorentz said in presenting an honor to Troyer during the annual Holmes County 4-H Volunteer Recognition Banquet. “You truly have made the best better in Holmes County.”

However, just because Troyer is no longer the adviser for the club, that doesn’t mean she will disappear completely. For someone who has dedicated her life to the 4-H program and to her club, that would be asking far too much.

“It’s kind of scary stepping away, but I have faith in the people who are dedicating themselves to continuing the Holmes County 4-H program, our club and their willingness to lead our kids,” Troyer said. “I know everything will continue to be as great as ever for our 4-H and for our club, and I know I’ll be here if anyone needs anything because this doesn’t just go away.”

Troyer said she has had some wonderful support and help over her 40-year stint, noting many incredible people have entered her life throughout the experience.

Troyer has been an instrumental part of the lives of countless young people who put their trust in her as she helped guide them through 4-H.

“It’s amazing to see so many of these kids start out their 4-H careers at 9 years old and watch them grow and blossom into these incredible young adults who develop great leadership skills and become so involved in their communities,” Troyer said. “Then you see them become adults and take on a role in being advisers in the 4-H programs themselves. I can’t say enough about what 4-H has meant to me for the past decades.”

Troyer became invested in 4-H when her daughter turned 9 years old four decades ago and has been a staple of the county’s 4-H program and especially Doughty Valley ever since.

She said sharing the laughter, fellowship and good times with the many 4-H youth who have come through the Doughty Valley program has made every moment of her experience memorable and worthwhile.

“There’s a closeness and unity that comes with the 4-H experience that can’t be beat,” Troyer said. “Those are friendships and memories that can last a lifetime for the kids.”

Troyer said she warned fellow adviser Crystal Raber two years ago she would step down after her 40th year, and Troyer said she knows Raber will continue to extol the many virtues and joys of 4-H with the Doughty Valley kids.

“She’s done an amazing job,” Troyer said. “She’s really taken the reins and done an incredible job of leading the group. I’ve just been there to help the past two years.”

Troyer leaves a legacy worth emulating for any 4-H adviser, serving as a leader, friend and almost a second mother for many of the kids who were blessed to come through the Doughty Valley program.

Other 4-H volunteers honored during the years-of-service portion of the annual banquet included Cordell Troyer and Kristen Felix, five years; Dennis and Virginia Pringle, 10 years; Hope Blake and Kelli Stitzlein, 20 years; Amanda and Trevor Berger, 25 years; Roxane Allen, Jami Bird, Gale Hershberger and Lisa Hipp, 30 years; and RoseAnne Miller and Dr. Eric Shaver, 35 years.